Washing machine

ABSTRACT

A drum type washing machine is disclosed. The drum type washing machine includes a tub mounted in a case, a drum rotatably mounted in the tub, and a tilt reduction unit for reducing the downward tilt degree of the tub and the drum when laundry to be cleaned is received into the drum. According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the downward tilt degree of the tub and the drum, and therefore, it is possible to increase the capacities of the tub and the drum without the modification of the case.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0034989, filed on Apr. 10, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a drum type washing machine constructed in a structure in which the capacities of a tub and a drum are increased without the modification of a case forming the external appearance of the drum type washing machine.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Generally, a washing machine may be classified as a top loading type washing machine which receives laundry to be cleaned from the top of a case or as a drum type washing machine which receives laundry to be cleaned from the front of a case.

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view schematically illustrating the interior structure of a conventional drum type washing machine.

Referring to FIG. 1, the conventional drum type washing machine includes a case 1 forming the external appearance of the drum type washing machine, a tub 4 mounted in the case 1 for receiving wash water, and a drum 6 rotatably mounted in the tub 4 for receiving laundry to be cleaned.

The case 1 forms the external appearance of the drum type washing machine. The tub 4 is mounted in the case 1. The tub 4 includes a front tub 2 and a rear tub 3. The drum 6 is rotatably mounted in the tub 4. At the rear of the tub 4 is mounted a drive unit 9 for driving the drum 6 such that the drum 6 is rotated.

The tub 4 is supported by a damper 8 mounted at the lower side of the tub 4 and elastic members 7 mounted at the upper side of the tub 4. The damper 8 and the elastic members 7 serve to absorb vibration, generated from the tub 4 when the drum 6 is rotated by the drive unit 9, to some extent.

In the conventional drum type washing machine, however, it is very difficult to increase the capacities of the drum 6 and the tub 4 unless the size of the case 1 is changed. Specifically, not only the external sizes of washing machines preferred by every nation are different from each other, but also the standards of the external appearances of washing machines are different from each other. Consequently, it is required to increase the capacity of the washing machine without changing the size of the case 1. However, the conventional drum type washing machine has a difficulty.

This is because the conventional drum type washing machine is constructed in a structure in which the elastic members 7 are positioned at opposite sides of the tub 4 such that the elastic members 7 coincide with the center of gravity, and therefore, the drum and the tub 4 are maintained level to some extent when laundry to be cleaned is not placed in the drum 6; however, the drum and the tub 5 tilt downward when laundry to be cleaned is put in the drum 6, particularly when a maximum amount of the laundry to be cleaned in put in the drum 6.

Also, when laundry to be cleaned is put in the drum 6, the laundry is generally gathered at the entrance side of the drum 6. Even when the washing machine is operated, the laundry remains gathered at the entrance side of the drum 6, with the result that the entrance sides of the drum 6 and the tub 4 tilt downward. When the entrance sides of the drum 6 and the tub 4 tilt downward by more than a predetermined angle, the upper side of the tub 4 is vibrated by the rotation of the drum 6, with the result that the tub 4 comes into contact with the inside of the case 1, since the inner space of the case 1 is narrow. Consequently, the tub 4 may be damaged or even broken in the worst case.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a washing machine that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a drum type washing machine constructed in a structure in which the capacities of a tub and a drum are increased without the modification of a case forming the external appearance of the drum type washing machine.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a drum type washing machine includes a tub mounted in a case, a drum rotatably mounted in the tub, and a tilt reduction unit for reducing the downward tilt degree of the tub and the drum when laundry to be cleaned is received into the drum.

In another aspect of the present invention, a drum type washing machine includes a case, a tub mounted in the case for receiving wash water, a drum rotatably mounted in the tub for receiving laundry to be cleaned, and a plurality of elastic members mounted at the outside of the tub, such that the elastic members are arranged at predetermined intervals toward the entrance side of the tub from the center of gravity of the tub, for allowing the entrance sides of the tub and the drum to tilt upward by a predetermined angle when the laundry is not received into the drum and preventing the entrance sides of the tub and the drum from tilting downward by more than a predetermined angle when a maximum amount of the laundry is received into the drum.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view schematically illustrating the structure of a conventional drum type washing machine;

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a drum type washing machine including a tilt reduction unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view illustrating the separation between a tub and a drum of which the capacities are increased according to the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating the tilt degree of the tub and the drum at the entrance sides of the tub and the drum depending upon the change in weight of wash water and laundry to be cleaned in the conventional drum type washing machine and the drum type washing machine according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a drum type washing machine including a tilt reduction unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the drum type washing machine according to the present invention includes a tilt reduction unit 30 for reducing the downward tilt degree of a tub 16 and a drum 20 at the entrance sides thereof when laundry to be cleaned and wash water are received into the drum 20 (see FIG. 3).

The tilt reduction unit 30 includes a plurality of elastic members 33 mounted at the tub 16 such that the elastic members 33 are arranged at predetermined intervals from the center of gravity of the tub 16. The tub 16 includes a front tub 12 and a rear tub 14. Opposite ends of the elastic members 33 are fixed to fixing brackets 34 mounted at the outer circumference of the front tub 12 and in fixing holes 36 formed at a fixing plate 38 mounted at the inner top of a case (not shown), whereby the tub 16 is supported by the elastic members 33. In particular, the elastic members 33, constituting the tilt reduction unit 30 according to the present invention, are arranged at predetermined intervals from the center of gravity of the tub 16 to reduce the tilt of the tub 16 and the drum 20, which will be described hereinafter in detail.

Specifically, the elastic members 33 are mounted at the tub 16 such that the elastic members 33 are arranged at predetermined intervals toward the entrance side of the tub 16 from the center of gravity of the tub 16. In this case, the entrance side of the tub 16, which is supported by the elastic members 33, tilts upward by a predetermined angle when laundry to be cleaned and wash water are not received into the tub 16. That is, the elastic members 33 are mounted at the tub 16 such that the elastic members 33 are arranged at predetermined intervals toward the entrance side of the tub 16 from the center of gravity of the tub 16, with the result that the entrance side of the tub 16 is raised, whereas the rear side of the tub 16 is lowered.

Meanwhile the elastic members 33 may be a pair of elastic members 33 mounted at opposite sides of the tub 16. However, the number of the elastic members 33 is not particularly restricted. For example, two or more elastic members 33 may be mounted at the tub 16. Specifically, two elastic members may be mounted at one side of the tub 16, and two elastic members may be mounted at the other side of the tub 16. In this case, the four elastic members are arranged such that the central points of the elastic members are located toward the entrance side of the tub 16 at predetermined intervals from the center of gravity. The following description will be given on the assumption that two elastic members 33, constituting the tilt reduction unit 30, are mounted at opposite sides of the upper part of the tub 16, respectively.

As previously described, in a case where the elastic members 33 are mounted at the tub 16 such that the elastic members 33 are arranged at predetermined intervals toward the entrance side of the tub 16 from the center of gravity of the tub 16, the entrance sides of the drum 20 and the tub 16 tilt upward by a predetermined angle, when laundry to be cleaned and wash water are not received into the drum 20. Preferably, the elastic members 33 are mounted at the tub 16 such that the entrance sides of the drum 20 and the tub 16 tilt upward by an angle of approximately 0.5 to 1 degree when laundry to be cleaned and wash water are not received into the drum 20. If the entrance sides of the drum 20 and the tub 16 tilt upward by an angle of more than 1 degree, the entrance-side lower part of the tub 16 comes into contact with the inside of the case (not shown), with the result that the tub 16 may be deformed or damaged. Consequently, it is preferred to mount the elastic members 33 at the tub 16 such that the entrance sides of the drum 20 and the tub 16 do not tilt upward by an angle of more than 1 degree.

On the other hand, when laundry to be cleaned and wash water are received into the drum 20, the entrance sides of the drum 20 and the tub 16 tilt downward due to the weights of the laundry and the wash water. In this case, the downward tilt degree of the drum 20 and the tub 16 in which the entrance sides of the drum 20 and the tub 16 tilt downward is maximally reduced, although the laundry and the wash water are received into the drum 20, since the elastic members 33 are mounted at the tub 16 such that the entrance sides of the drum 20 and the tub 16 tilt upward when the laundry and the wash water are not received into the drum 20 according to the present invention.

Preferably, the elastic members 33 are mounted at the tub 16 such that the entrance sides of the drum 20 and the tub 16 tilt downward by an angle of approximately 0.5 degree to 1 degree even when a maximum amount of laundry to be cleaned and wash water are received into the drum 20. If the entrance sides of the drum 20 and the tub 16 tilt downward by an angle of more than 1 degree, the entrance-side upper part of the tub 16 comes into contact with the inside of the case (not shown), with the result that the tub 16 may be deformed or damaged. Consequently, it is preferred to mount the elastic members 33 at the tub 16 such that the entrance sides of the drum 20 and the tub 16 do not tilt downward by an angle of more than 1 degree.

According to the present invention, therefore, the elastic members 33, constituting the tilt reduction unit 30, are mounted at the tub 16 such that the elastic members 33 are arranged at predetermined intervals toward the entrance side of the tub 16 from the center of gravity of the tub 16, with the result that, when laundry to be cleaned and wash water are not received into the drum 20, the entrance sides of the drum 20 and the tub 16 tilt upward by the predetermined angle, and, even when a maximum amount of laundry to be cleaned and wash water are received into the drum 20, the entrance sides of the drum 20 and the tub 16 are prevented from tilting downward by more than the predetermined degree.

Consequently, even when the washing machine is operated, and therefore, the drum 20 is rotated, the downward tilt of the tub 16 is reduced according to the present invention, with the result that the distance between the tub 16 and the case is maintained, whereby it is possible to increase the capacities of the tub 16 and the drum 20. That is, even when laundry to be cleaned and wash water are received into the drum 20, the downward tilt degree of the drum 20 and the tub 16 in which the entrance sides of the drum 20 and the tub 16 tilt downward is reduced, with the result that the distance between the tub 16 and the case is maintained, whereby it is possible to increase the lengths of the drum 20 and the tub 16 without changing the size of the case, and therefore, it is possible to increase the capacities of the tub 16 and the drum 20.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the front tub 12 of the tub 16 and the drum 20, the capacities of which are increased by the increase in length of the tub 16 and the drum 20, of the drum type washing machine according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, it is possible to increase the capacities of the tub 16 and the drum 20 by increasing the lengths of the drum 20 and the tub 16 (see FIG. 2) by a length A according to the present invention. The tub 20 includes the front tub 12 and the rear tub 14 (see FIG. 2). According to the present invention, the length of the front tub 12 is increased to increase the capacity of the tub 20. However, the present invention is not limited by the above-described modification of the tub 12. For example, the length of the rear tub 14 may be increased to increase the capacity of the tub 20. Alternatively, the lengths of both the front tub 12 and the rear tub 14 may be increased to increase the capacity of the tub 20.

FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating the tilt degree of the tub and the drum at the entrance sides of the tub and the drum depending upon the change in weight of wash water and laundry to be cleaned in the conventional drum type washing machine and the drum type washing machine according to the present invention. In FIG. 4, the vertical axis indicates the tilt degree of the tub and the drum, and the horizontal axis indicates the weight of laundry to be cleaned and the wash water. Here, the downward tilt angle of the tub and the drum is marked with minus (−), and the upward tilt angle of the tub and the drum is marked with plus (+).

Referring to FIG. 4, it can be seen that, when laundry to be cleaned and wash water are not received into the conventional drum type washing machine, the entrance side of the tub tilts downward by an angle of approximately −2.0 degrees. With the reception of laundry to be cleaned and wash water, the downward tilt degree of the tub at the entrance side of the tub gradually decreases, but, after the weight of the laundry and the wash water exceeds approximately 10 kg, the downward tilt degree of the tub at the entrance side of the tub gradually increases. In particular, when a maximum amount of the laundry and the wash water are received into the drum, and the weight of the laundry and the wash water reaches approximately 30 kg, the entrance sides of the tub and the drum tilt downward by an angle of approximately −3.0 degrees.

In the conventional drum type washing machine, as described above, when the maximum amount of the laundry and the wash water are received into the drum, the entrance sides of the tub and the drum excessively tilt downward. Consequently, when the lengths of the drum and the tub are increased to increase the capacities of the drum and the tub, the entrance-side upper part of the tub comes into contact with the inside of the case.

In the drum type washing machine according to the present invention, on the other hand, the entrance sides of the tub and the drum tilt upward by an angle of approximately +0.5 degrees, when laundry to be cleaned and wash water are not received into the drum. Even when a maximum amount of the laundry and the wash water are received into the drum, with the result that the weight of the laundry and the wash water reaches approximately 30 kg, the entrance sides of the tub and the drum do not tilt downward by an angle of more than approximately −1.0 degree. In particular, the drum type washing machine according to the present invention is constructed in a structure in which, when the capacity of the drum type washing machine generally used when a user operates the drum type washing machine, i.e., the weight of laundry to be cleaned and wash water, reaches 18 kg (for example, 6 kg of the laundry and 12 kg of the wash water), the entrance side of the tub 16 tilts approximately neither upward nor downward, but is maintained level.

According to the present invention, therefore, the downward tilt degree of the tub and the drum in which the entrance sides of the tub and the drum tilt downward is minimized even when a maximum amount of laundry to be cleaned and wash water are received into the drum. Consequently, the entrance side of the tub is prevented from coming into contact with the inside of the case, during the operation of the drum type washing machine, even in a structure in which the lengths of the tub and the drum are increased, and therefore, it is possible to increase the capacities of the tub and the drum.

Apparent from the above description, the drum type washing machine according to the present invention is characterized by the tilt reduction unit, and therefore, it is possible to minimize the downward tilt degree of the tub at the entrance side of the tub when laundry to be cleaned and wash water are received into the drum.

Also, the downward tilt degree of the tub at the entrance side of the tub is minimized according to the present invention. Consequently, it is possible to increase the capacities of the tub and the drum without changing the size of the case, forming the external appearance of the washing machine.

Also, the downward tilt degree of the tub at the entrance side of the tub is minimized according to the present invention. Consequently, it is possible to minimize vibration generated from the tub during the rotation of the drum.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A drum type washing machine comprising: a case; a tub provided in the case; a drum rotatably provided in the tub; and a tilt reduction unit to reduce the downward tilt degree of the tub and the drum when laundry is received into the drum.
 2. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the tilt reduction unit includes a plurality of elastic members provided at the tub, such that the entrance sides of the tub and the drum tilt upward by a predetermined angle when the laundry is not received into the drum.
 3. The drum type washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the elastic members are mounted at the tub such that the entrance sides of the tub and the drum tilt upward by an angle of 0.5 to 1 degree when the laundry is not received into the drum.
 4. The drum type washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the elastic members are mounted at the tub such that the entrance sides of the tub and the drum do not tilt upward by an angle of more than 1 degree when the laundry is not received into the drum.
 5. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the tilt reduction unit includes a plurality of elastic members provided at the tub, such that the entrance sides of the tub and the drum do not tilt downward by more than a predetermined angle when a maximum amount of the laundry is received into the drum.
 6. The drum type washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the elastic members are mounted at the tub such that the entrance sides of the tub and the drum tilt downward by an angle of 0.5 to 1 degree when a maximum amount of the laundry is received into the drum.
 7. The drum type washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the elastic members are mounted at the tub such that the entrance sides of the tub and the drum do not tilt downward by an angle of more than 1 degree when a maximum amount of the laundry is received into the drum.
 8. A drum type washing machine comprising: a case; a tub provided in the case; a drum rotatably provided in the tub; and a plurality of elastic members arranged at predetermined intervals from the center of gravity of the tub, to support the tub.
 9. The drum type washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the elastic members are mounted at opposite sides of the upper part of the tub.
 10. The drum type washing machine according to claim 9, wherein the elastic members are mounted at the tub such that one elastic member is mounted at each side of the upper part of the tub.
 11. The drum type washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the elastic members are mounted at the tub such that the elastic members are arranged at predetermined intervals toward the entrance side of the tub from the center of gravity of the tub.
 12. The drum type washing machine according to claim 11, wherein the elastic members are mounted at the tub such that the entrance sides of the tub and the drum tilt upward by an angle of 0.5 to 1 degree when the laundry is not received into the drum.
 13. The drum type washing machine according to claim 11, wherein the elastic members are mounted at the tub such that the entrance sides of the tub and the drum do not tilt upward by an angle of more than 1 degree when the laundry is not received into the drum.
 14. The drum type washing machine according to claim 11, wherein the elastic members are mounted at the tub such that the entrance sides of the tub and the drum tilt downward by an angle of 0.5 to 1 degree when a maximum amount of the laundry is received into the drum.
 15. The drum type washing machine according to claim 11, wherein the elastic members are mounted at the tub such that the entrance sides of the tub and the drum do not tilt downward by an angle of more than 1 degree when a maximum amount of the laundry is received into the drum.
 16. The drum type washing machine according to claim 11, wherein the elastic members are mounted at the tub such that the entrance sides of the tub and the drum tilt upward by an angle of 0.5 to 1 degree when the laundry is not received into the drum and such that the entrance sides of the tub and the drum do not tilt downward by an angle of more than 1 degree when a maximum amount of the laundry is received into the drum.
 17. A drum type washing machine comprising: a case; a tub mounted in the case for receiving wash water; a drum rotatably mounted in the tub for receiving laundry to be cleaned; and a plurality of elastic members mounted at the outside of the tub, such that the elastic members are arranged at predetermined intervals toward the entrance side of the tub from the center of gravity of the tub, for allowing the entrance sides of the tub and the drum to tilt upward by a predetermined angle when the laundry is not received into the drum and preventing the entrance sides of the tub and the drum from tilting downward by more than a predetermined angle when a maximum amount of the laundry is received into the drum. 